Forward Control Land Rovers

The main user of Forward Control Land
Rovers in the Australian Defence Forces was the Australian
Army who used the 101 Forward Control to tow the Rapier Anti
Aircraft missile defence system.

Australian Army 101" Land Rovers

58 RHD 101's were produced between 1976 and 1978 by
Land-Rover for the British Aircraft Corporation. The BAC
supplied the Rapier Missile system to the Australian Army
which was used by a number of units. 16 Air Defence
Regiment were the primary users towing Rapier units, or
rapier storage trailers. Vehicles also had rapier storage
racks fitted in the rear of the vehicle. The RAEME
Training Centre and School of Artillery also had 101 Land
Rovers.

The secretary attended an early 1990's
auction at Holsworthy Army Base in NSW to see the
release of a smashed Perentie 4x4 ($15,500), 12 or so
Series 2A / Series 3 109" units ($3000 to $4,000), and
about 15 Forward Control 101" units ($9000 - $13,000 I
think). At their release the 101s carried no Rapier
parts and appeared as per G.S. "standard" (all had the
front and rear operable PTO winch). Other units have
been privately imported into Australia on top of this 58
units.

Australian Army Series 2a and 2b Forward Control Land Rovers

More recently information about Land Rover
Series 2a and 2b Forward Control vehicles has surfaced showing
trials of at least one vehicle by the Army Design
Establishment (ADE) and possibly another used as a fire engine
by the Royal Australian Navy.